Study Abroad in Vietnam
Hanoi University
Overview
Take advantage of this unique combination of an EAP-designed course on Vietnam and Southeast Asian studies; Vietnamese language; and immersion into regular Hanoi University courses in business, economics, political science, and international studies. A number of study trips, including weeklong excursions to central and southern Vietnam, are integral features of the required core course. All courses (except language) are taught in English by U.S. and local faculty. Volunteer service positions provide opportunities to make contact with the local community, offer insightful perspectives of the impact of globalization on Vietnamese culture, and deepen understanding of the challenges of development.
Students attend classes with UC students and local students.
Course Opportunities
Contemporary issues in Vietnamese society, politics, history, international relations, literature, business administration, economics, finance, and management taught in English.
The core course “Vietnam Society in Transition” provides a cultural and historical base for understanding contemporary Vietnam and unifies other elements of the program. You can gain real-world experience in a project that you personally select, design, and implement. Current EAP students in this program are working to alleviate problems in the following areas: traffic and environment (motorbike pooling), education (career counseling for underprivileged youths), street kids (after-school sport programs), GLBT (documentary), handicapped (documentary), smoking (school programs), and trafficking of women.
Hanoi University is offering additional courses each year; previous courses include:
- Modern Vietnamese History
- Modern Vietnamese Literature in Translation
- Organizational Behavior
- Principles of Marketing
- World Economic Geography
- Globalization and Third World Development
- Macroeconomics
- Consumer Behavior
- Development Economics
- Vietnam's Foreign Commercial and Diplomatic Relations
- Vietnamese (introductory, intermediate, and advanced)
Use the following resources to learn about courses on EAP:
- EAP Program Search provides information on general areas of study.
- Host institution online catalogs or course listings:
- MyEAP Course Catalog lists courses previously taken by UC students. Additional courses may be available and not all courses may still be offered. Since courses in new programs have not yet been taken for credit, they may not appear in the MyEAP Course Catalog.
Units
You are required to take a full-time course of study on EAP; 21 UC quarter units are required, which is normally four courses. The required core course is 6 units, language courses are normally 6 units, and electives are usually 4.5 units.
Language of Instruction
English
Language Study
Language study is required. Students with no prior language experience study beginning Vietnamese as a second language. Heritage learners study introductory, intermediate, or advanced Vietnamese.
Internships, Research, and Independent Study
Independent study and internships for academic credit may be possible in this program depending on the topic, your overall academic program, the availability of an appropriate faculty supervisor, and the recommendation of the Liaison Officer.
A wide range of volunteer and non-credit internship positions are also available. The Study Center has an ongoing volunteer program with a middle school in an underprivileged village in which EAP students teach English to the children. Students have volunteered at organizations such as the Xa me and Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation, both focused on helping street kids. UC students have also interned at the U.S. consulate, the Vietnam Economic Times, and various NGOs. Volunteer positions are common, especially ones that involve teaching English for nonprofits.
Formal internships require that students take the initiative to organize them in advance. Particularly with the U.S. embassy, security checks can take more than six months to complete. Students should have specific skills that they can contribute to the organization, and they should be committed to devoting real time to their internship.
Arrangements for either are made at the Study Center after arrival at the host institution. Predeparture preparation may be required.
Duration
Go to the Participants section to see current or past calendars.
Fall: mid-August to late December
Housing
EAP students reside on campus in international or local student dormitories. Off-campus and private housing is not permitted.
On-site Support
EAP students are supported by UC's network of EAP offices at every UC campus and partnerships with EAP host universities throughout the world. The Vietnam program is administered on site by an EAP Liaison Officer. The Liaison Officer works closely with students on academic and logistical matters, and serves as a resource for housing, medical, and personal issues. A local program assistant from Hanoi University (HANU) also assists the Liaison Officer with program administration.
See the EAP Program Guide (PDF) for program-specific details about host institutions, program structure, and courses; academic culture and conduct; internships, research, & independent study; units, exams, and grades; orientation; housing; and information about the intensive language program (if applicable).
